Sicily is one of the most beautiful places in the world for a church wedding: baroque basilicas, centuries-old parish churches and piazzas made for confetti and celebration. But a Catholic wedding in Sicily also comes with more paperwork than most couples expect. In this guide we walk you through how it works, using Isabella and Billy's wedding in Sciacca on Wednesday 21 October 2026 as a real example.
See the full story and gallery: Isabella & Billy: A Catholic Wedding by the Sea in Sciacca
A wedding close to our hearts
Sciacca is where Isabella's family is from, so marrying there meant so much to her and Billy. It's a historic fishing town on Sicily's south-west coast, with an old town that tumbles down towards the harbour, honey-coloured palazzi and terraces looking straight out to sea. For couples wanting an authentic Sicilian setting away from the busiest tourist spots, a wedding in Sciacca is hard to beat.
Isabella and Billy married at the Basilica Maria SS. del Soccorso (Parrocchia S. Maria Maddalena), Sciacca's mother church.
Step 1: Choose your church and your date early
Every parish has its own diary and its own requirements, so the church usually comes first. Midweek and autumn dates, like Isabella and Billy's Wednesday in October, are often easier to secure, and the light is wonderfully soft. Browse our Sicilian wedding venues for reception ideas near your chosen church.
Step 2: The church paperwork
For a Catholic wedding, your marriage file normally starts with your home parish and diocese. It is then sent to the Curia of the Sicilian diocese (for Sciacca, Agrigento) to be stamped, before it reaches the parish where you'll marry. The parish may also ask you to complete its own marriage preparation form. Allow several months for all of this.
When only one of you is Catholic
Isabella and Billy's church wedding was a little more complicated than most, because only Isabella is Catholic. When one partner isn't Catholic, the Church asks for a dispensation (permission for a mixed marriage) from the Catholic partner's home parish before the wedding can go ahead. We helped Isabella through every step of getting the dispensation, working with her parish at home and the Curia in Agrigento, so the paperwork was in place and the couple could marry in the Basilica in Sciacca. If one of you isn't Catholic, don't let it put you off. It just needs a bit more time and careful planning.
Step 3: The civil paperwork
Your church wedding also needs to be recognised civilly. For UK couples, this usually means a certificate of no impediment, statutory declarations and apostilles, plus forms for the local town hall. Our legal documents guide explains each step in more detail.
Isabella and Billy chose our Catholic and civil ceremony package as part of a partial planning service, so Lina and Sabina handled all of it: gathering the UK documents, liaising with the church and the Curia, and preparing the town hall forms with Sabina on the ground in Sicily.
Step 4: Plan the logistics
Transport between where you're getting ready, the church and your photo locations makes a big difference on the day, especially in old towns with narrow streets. We organised Isabella and Billy's transport so they didn't have to give it a second thought.
Step 5: Have someone there on the day
Church weddings in Sicily run to the parish's timings, and there are always small details to manage: readings, witnesses, signing, and guests gathering outside. Lina and Sabina were at the ceremony to make sure everything ran smoothly, so all Isabella and Billy had to think about was each other.
Step 6: Make time for portraits
After the ceremony, Isabella and Billy explored Sciacca with photographer Salvatore Dimino: across a sunlit piazza, up to a terrace above the harbour, and out to the sea for a golden sunset.
Our top tips for a Catholic wedding in Sicily
- Start the church file early – your home parish, your diocese and the Sicilian Curia all play a part.
- Don't forget the civil side – it has its own documents and timings.
- Consider a midweek or autumn date – easier availability and beautiful light.
- Choose a local photographer who knows the town's best spots and light.
- Have a bilingual team on your side – it makes conversations with the parish and the town hall far easier.
Planning your own church wedding in Sicily?
Whether you dream of a baroque basilica or a little parish church by the sea, we'd love to help. Get in touch and tell us about your plans, or read Isabella & Billy's full real-wedding story.
Photography: Salvatore Dimino
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